"How to hide two teen heroes, a rescued child and a giant panda bear" sounded like the set-up for a truly terrible joke, and yet somehow that's how Shouta's evening was going.
An empty parking lot outside of Tsukauchi's precinct had been the best option for the moment. At this time of night, there were no cars or pedestrians, and the people working for the detective already knew the full situation.
"So." Tsukauchi eyed Shouta, his arms crossed across the chest of his trenchcoat. "Just what did you bring me this time? Besides the... panda."
Shouta gave him his best teacher glare, but Tsukauchi had dealt with All Might level bullshit for too long. He was unaffected.
"My best guess is an abuse case." Shouta tapped his forearm, in reference to the bandages marching their way up and down the girl's arms and legs. "But these injuries look too systematic and even beyond that, that's professional level first aid. Usually, abusers don't bother to patch up their victims."
"Unless they have something to hide," Tsukauchi pointed out.
"Or a plan for it." Shouta glanced back at the kid. She was silent and non-emotive even now, in Aang's company, who Shouta knew for a fact was a force of nature all of his own when it came to bright personalities. "Eri hasn't said anything really concrete yet. We're going to have to take this slow."
Eri- whose name had been coaxed out of her by Aang- blinked and looked up at the sound of her name and before burrowing back down into the spirit's fur. Hei Bai yawned in that same moment, flashing a set of unsettlingly sharp fangs at everyone.
"We'll need to take her to the hospital at one point," the detective said, thoughtfully watching the scene.
"She won't leave Hei Bai's side and he seems remarkably unwilling to keep Aang's world a secret," Shouta returned dryly. "A giant panda spirit may be a bit much for your average hospital to handle. And that's without mentioning that he rescued her from who knows where."
Tsukauchi groaned, rubbing his eyes.
"You know, my job used to be simpler. Not much, but at least I usually knew what everything involved. Hell, All Might was an easier secret to keep than this."
"You have my sympathies on that one," Shouta muttered.
"It was worth it," Tsukauchi said quietly.
It was silent for a few somber seconds.
"Tsukauchi." The detective looked at him. Shouta frowned, carefully choosing his words. "With Boil, the League, and the 8 Precepts all starting to get tangled up in this same spirit mess- it may be time to let others into our circle."
Tsukauchi heaved a sigh.
"I was thinking the same thing, honestly. The repercussions of this have gotten too serious for us to not tell the hero agencies." He rested a hand on the seam of his coat pocket, gaze serious. "Who do you think should be told?"
"Nighteye's agency, for sure." Shouta ticked off his fingers, mentally going through names. "The faculty at UA. Ryukyu's agency, since they've gotten involved already. Fat Gum."
Tsukauchi nodded, apparently approving of the choices.
"I have some other officers that I can let in. Widen our search a bit."
"And that would mean we can take Eri back to UA for the moment," Shouta pointed out. "Recovery Girl can look her over, and Hei Bai is easier to hide on campus." They both looked over to the large form of the spirit in question, curled up on the pavement, eyes closed, content with the kids resting on his back.
YOU ARE READING
In His Element(s) || avatar / bnha
Aventura""So... one more time." Shouta pinched the bridge of his nose, regretting both waking up this morning and possibly existence in general. "You're the spiritual avatar of an entirely different world, and in the process of keeping the peace with said s...
